Clutching mechanism



Apil 16, 1.946. T. o. OJUTKANGAS' 2,398,716 I GLUTCHING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 255, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 4 v. v 45 l J4 i j W y //l/ 5,2 ff 5L 12g j@ f2 40320 44 j ff l gli? h 3a ,45 4W J4@ f a In;

Patented Apr. 16, 1946 e e l 2,398,716

UNITED STATES PATIENT VFFC f e* `,2,398,716 l i I e e cLU'rcniNG MECHANISM Tauno O. Qjutkangas, Los Angeles, Calif. Application september 23, 1944, serai No. 555,431

' 1 claim. l(ci. 19a-9m v This invention has to do generally with improvements in power transmission mechanisms,

and more particularly with mechanisms for sey lectively clutching a shaft to pulleys carried by Y it is desired to rotate a driven shaft, `by way of` multiple pulleys, at different speeds in accord ance with the nature of the work to be performed by the power of the driven shaft.

In accordance with the invention, I employ a work-driving tubular shaft carrying a pair of pulleys rotatable relative to the shaft and adapted to be clutched thereto by a suitable clutch part carried on the shaft and movable axially into engagement with the pulleys by a control rod extending within the shaft. Particularly contemplated is an arrangement of the pulleys in closely spaced relation with the clutch accommodated within end recesses of the pulleys.

A further feature and object of the invention is the provision of a clutch actuating and control mechanism associated wth an end portion of the shaft and operable to shift the rod in opposite directions to selectively engage the clutch with either pulley. An important aspect of the clutch actuating assembly is the provision of a mechanism acting both to reciprocally shift the rod and clutch and to automatically retain the rod in its clutching positions.

Numerous specific features and objects in connection with the clutch actuating and control mechanism, might preliminarily be recited at length. All these however will be understood and explained to better advantage in the following detailed description of a typical and preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the mechanism with the clutch and its control in released position;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing the clutch and its association with the pulley shaft and clutch actuating rod;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing vthe parts in changed positions; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section on line 5--5 of Fig. 1.

Referring iirst to Fig. 1, the mechanism comprises a shaft I0 which may be tubular. to the extent shown, or throughout its length, rotatable in .the conventionally illustrated bearings Iii;` I2. Theshaft carries-apair4 of relatively ro# `tatable -pulleys I3.and I4 which may be maintained in the illustrated closely spacedrelation. between set rings I5 and I6, and rings I1 and I8 seated within annular recesses in theshaft- Ill. As will be understood-the. pulleys I3 and I4: nor- ,mally` are free-running on. the shaftL and?y are adaptedgto be beltdriven; by ,anotherparof pulleys carried on a drive shaft, (not shownl.: :The

`purpose of. the clutch mechanism' described below,

is to permit selective,transmission of the drive from one or the other of the pulleys I3 and I4, at different speeds depending upon the effective pulley section 13a or Ma in use.

The clutching mechanism comprises a clutch disc I9, the opposite faces of which carry layers of suitable friction material 20, all received within the end recesses 2| and 22 of the pulleys, the clutch being reciprocally movable on the shaft I0 so as to be selectively engageable with the pulley surfaces 23 and 24. The clutch I9 is operated by a rod 25 extending Within the shaft bore 25 and connected by pin 21 with the clutch hub. Pin .21 extends through longitudinal slots 28 in the shaft I0 so that through the pin 21 the clutch rotates with the shaft While capable of movement longitudinally thereof.

The clutch actuating and control mechanism, generally indicated at 29, comprises a cylindrical surface body 30 threaded at 3l on the end por..

tion of the shaft and containing within radial slots 32 a pair of dogs 33 pivotally mounted on pins 34. The inner portions of the dogs 33 are received between the rod fiange 35 and the end of sleeve 36 threaded on the end of the rod, the sleeve being adjustable to vary its end spacing from the flange 35 and therefore the effective clutch shifting action of the dogs. Flange 35 may be formed as an integral part of the rod, or as a projection adjustable longitudinally thereof.

The body 30 is surrounded by sleeve 31 movable axially of the body to swing the dogs 33 by engagement of the baiiled ends 38 of the sleeve with the outwardly projecting arms 39 of the dogs. Thus upon movement of the sleeve 31 to the left, see Fig. 4, the dogs 33 are thrust against iiange 35 to shift the rod 25 in a direction bringing the clutch into engagement with the surface 24 of pulley I4. Upon movement of the sleeve 31 to the right from the position of Fig. 1, the `dOgs engage the end of sleeve 36 to bring the clutch against the face 33 of pulley I3. As will be understood, the entire assembly including the body 30, dogs 33 and the sleeve 31 rotate together with the shaft l0. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be observed that in the clutch engaging position of the sleeve 31, the ends of the dog arms 39 are received within an annular recess 40, thereby confining the dogs against clutchreleasing movement until the sleeve 31 is manually and intentionally returned to its neutral position.

The sleeve 31 may be actuated and controlled in its reciprocating movement relative Ato the body 30, by any suitable mechanism. Preferably, I employ a yoke consisting ofan annulus 42 surrounding the sleeve and having an integral handle 43 and a bottom extension 44 pivotally attached at 45 to a, stationary support 46. The'V annulus 42 carries a pair of set screws 41, see Fig. 2J projecting Within openings 48 in a pair of ring segments 49 which are received with-in an annular recess 50 in the surface of the sleeve. The yoke and ring segment assembly thus may be swung reciprocally about the pivotal mounting 45 to shift the sleeve 31, While permitting rotation of the sleeve andv body assembly Within From the foregoing it will lappear that the invention is characterized vby its compactness and Y the utilized multiple pulley `and clutch assembly,

may have any suitable connection, not shown, with the work to be driven controllably at selective different speeds in accordance with the speed transmission to the shaft from a selected pulley section by way of the described clutch mechanism. f

I claim:

Mechanism of the character described, comprising a rotatable tubular shaft, a body connected to the shaft and rotatable therewith, a pair of pulleys rotatable on said shaft, a clutch movable longitudinally on the shaft between said pulleys, a rod connected to said clutch and movable longitudinally inside said shaft and body, means forming on said rod a pair of spaced shoulders one of which is adjustable longitudinally of the rod, a dog pivotally movable within said body and engageable with said shoulders to shift the rod to selectively engage the clutch with either of the pulleys, said dog having extensions projecting radially beyond said body, a sleeve surrounding and rotatable with the body and movable axially thereof to actuate said dog by engagement with said extensions thereof, said sleeve having annular recesses Within which said extensions are received to prevent rod-releasing movement of the dog when the clutch is engaged with either of theipulleys, and a pivotally mounted yoke connected to said sleeve and operable to shift the sleeve in its said axial movement.

TAUNO O. OJUTKANGAS. 

